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Ambassador John Berry checks in Down Under

John Berry, the former director of the Office of Personnel Management, recently
started his new job as U.S. Ambassador to Australia.

He and his husband, Curtis Yee, did what any couple does when they move into a new
neighborhood — they introduce themselves and get to know their neighbors.

But, this is the Digital Age and Berry is America's top diplomatic to the Land
Down Under. Rather than knock on neighbors' doors, he posted a video on YouTube to share a little
bit about who he is and what he hopes to accomplish while in Oz. The video was
produced by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Information
Programs.

Story continues after video

The U.S. Embassy Canberra also asked people to post comments about the video on
the embassy Facebook page and share their suggestions about where the new
ambassador and his spouse should visit.

What we learned about John Berry from the video:

Native of Washington, D.C.

Loves the outdoors

Swam at the North Pole

Stood at the South Pole

Married to Curtis Yee, a triathlete from Hawaii

Father fought in 1st Marine Division at Guadalcanal in World War II

Named after uncle, who was a Marine fighter pilot killed in action in World
War II

A lion was named for him at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington

Former National Zoo director

As of Thursday afternoon, more than 200 people had posted responses, most of which
were warm and cordial.

"Welcome to Australia Mr. Berry, to both you and Curtis, I enjoyed your welcome
video, you seem like a nice, genuinely engaging person," wrote Matt Miller of
Balmain, New South Wales. "I'm heartened that an openly gay couple occupy such a
prominent and important position. I hope you guys will enjoy your stay here with
us, welcome aboard, take care and soak up all the great things Australia and
Australians have to offer."

"Welcome to Australia, you seem like a very affable bloke," wrote Sax Cucvara of
Sydney. "Let us know if you're hanging around Newtown, we can go for a schnitzel."

Ross Warmington recommended if Berry and Yee liked cheese and wine, they should
check out Margaret River near his home in Perth, Western Australia.

Tom Write-One of Melbourne, Victoria, suggested the couple snorkel on the Great
Barrier Reef, especially since Yee is a triathlete.

The Parkes Shire Tourism page invited the couple to visit Parkes, New South
Wales — the "Elvis Capital of Australia."

"Come to the National Folk Festival in Canberra at Easter to see the best
Australian and international folk and roots music, dance and performance," wrote
Zena Armstrong. "We have had some fabulous U.S. artists and tutors at this fest
with the support of the Embassy!"

Berry announced he was going to step down from his previous job as
OPM director when his term ended on April 13. He had held that post since April 9,
2009.

During his tenure, he led OPM efforts to address some of the most challenging
aspects of federal human resources management, including reducing hiring times for
new employees, cutting the retirement claims backlog and improving the Senior
Executive Service.

Elaine
Kaplan succeeded Berry as OPM's acting director. President Barack Obama
nominated Katherine Archuleta
as the new director. She is waiting for a vote by the full Senate for her
confirmation.